Cancelled Flight Compensation
Use the airline that actually operated the flight, not the one you booked with.
Likely eligible
Statutory payout per passenger
£220
Total for 2 passengers
£440
Your saving vs a claims company
If you used a 35% + VAT claims company, they would take £185.
With our free direct claim letter, you keep the entire £440.
100% payout · £0 commission
- • Departs from a UK airport, so UK261 applies to any airline.
- • Applies if you were told of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.
Estimate based on statutory UK261/EU261 rules. Not legal advice.
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[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your email]
18 October 2026
British Airways – Customer Relations / Claims Department
Re: Statutory compensation claim – Flight [flight number] on [date of flight]
Booking reference: [booking reference]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to claim compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained in UK law and amended by the Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ("UK261") in respect of flight [flight number] from London (LGW) to Palma (PMI) on [date of flight], operated by British Airways.
The flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, resulting in an arrival more than 4 hours later than scheduled.
The great-circle distance of this route is approximately 1,310 km. Under Article 7 of UK261, the compensation due is £220 per passenger. The claim is made on behalf of the following 2 passenger(s):
1. [Passenger name 1]
Total compensation claimed: £440
In line with the judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Sturgeon (C-402/07) and Nelson (C-581/10), and the Court of Appeal in Huzar v Jet2.com [2014] EWCA Civ 791, technical problems arising in the normal operation of an airline are not extraordinary circumstances. If you contend that extraordinary circumstances apply, please provide full evidence and explain what reasonable measures were taken to avoid the disruption.
Please pay the compensation in money by bank transfer, as required by Article 7(3). I do not accept travel vouchers in place of cash.
I look forward to your response within 14 days. If this claim is rejected or not resolved within 8 weeks, I will refer it to your approved Alternative Dispute Resolution body or the relevant enforcement authority, and reserve the right to issue proceedings without further notice.
Yours faithfully,
[Your full name]
Prepared using the free claim letter template at flightcompensationcalculator.co.uk.The 14-day notice tiers
| Notice given | Compensation due unless rerouting… |
|---|---|
| 14 days or more | No compensation |
| 7–13 days | …departs ≤2h earlier and arrives ≤4h later than planned |
| Under 7 days | …departs ≤1h earlier and arrives ≤2h later than planned |
Rerouting vs refund
Under Article 8 you must be offered a choice: a full refund within 7 days (plus a return flight to your origin if relevant), rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or rerouting at a later date of your choosing. Taking a refund does not cancel your right to compensation.
Duty of care while you wait
If you choose rerouting, the airline must provide meals and refreshments, two free communications, and hotel accommodation plus transfers where an overnight stay is needed. Keep receipts for reasonable costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must an airline give to avoid paying?
At least 14 days. With 7–13 days' notice, compensation is still due unless the rerouting departs no more than 2 hours early and arrives within 4 hours of schedule.
Can I get a refund and compensation?
Yes. You choose a refund or rerouting under Article 8, and compensation under Article 7 is separate and additional.
Does the airline have to book me on another airline?
Regulators (CAA and EU Commission) expect rerouting 'at the earliest opportunity', which can include other airlines if your carrier has nothing suitable.